Abstract

MARTINEZ-CRUZ, Juan et al. Structure and diversity of seasonally forests disappeared by the construction of the dam Gral. Francisco J. Múgica, in Balsas River Basin, Michoacán, Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodiv. [online]. 2013, vol.84, n.4, pp.1216-1234. ISSN 2007-8706.  https://doi.org/10.7550/rmb.33799.

Prior to filling the reservoir of the dam Gral. Francisco J. Múgica, in the municipality of Múgica, Michoacán, we characterized the structure and diversity in 3 sites for the tropical deciduous forest (TDF) and 1 more occupied by semi-deciduous tropical forest (TSF). At each site were sampled trees and lianas ≥2.5 cm diameter in 10 transects of 50 x 2 m (0.1 ha). A total of 947 individuals were recorded, including 93 species, 70 genera and 32 families (88 tree species and 5 lianas). In the TDF and TSF were recorded 54 and 39 species, respectively. In both vegetation types, tree component was the dominant, either by number of species, individuals or basal area. The family Fabaceae was the most diverse (26 species) and embraced the highest values of basal area (7.36 m²), number of individuals (200) and number of stems (422); other important families in any of these variables were Euphorbiaceae and Rubiaceae. Species important for its diversity, basal area and abundance for the TDF were Cordia elaeagnoides (Boraginaceae), Cyrtocarpa procera (Anacardiaceae), Handroanthus impetiginosus (Bignoniaceae), Manihot tomatophylla (Euphorbiaceae) and Sideroxylon celastrinum (Sapotaceae), meanwhile for TSF highlighted Combretum farinosum (Combretaceae), Enterolobium cyclocarpum (Fabaceae), Ficus spp. (Moraceae) and Piper scabrum (Piperaceae). The number of species and the values of diversity indexes found for the TDF were low. Regardless of the composition or abundance of species, beta diversity of the sites with TDF is minor among them that those found in the comparisons with the TSF. The attributes of structure and diversity documented for these tropical forests could be explained by the effect of different human activities taking place in this region, especially live-stock, timber extraction, agriculture and orchards.

Keywords : trees; deciduous forests; alpha diversity; beta diversity; Fabaceae; diversity indexes; lianas.